Miss South Africa, Mia Le Roux has withdrawn from the 2024 Miss Universe competition.
The global beauty pageant competition will be held on 16 November 2024 at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico.
In a statement from Mexico, the Miss South Africa Organisation said Mia Le Roux’s withdrawal was due to health issues.
The statement reads: “It is with deep regret that we share the news that Mia Le Roux, Miss South Africa 2024, has had to withdraw from the Miss Universe competition due to health concerns.
“I am profoundly thankful for the unwavering support from South Africa during my time at Miss Universe. Making this decision has been incredibly challenging, knowing the dreams and hopes that have been placed upon me. However, I am deeply grateful to have the opportunity to focus on my health and recovery so that I may continue to serve my country with full strength.”
“Mia has shown incredible courage and grace throughout this difficult period. Her health and well-being are our utmost priority, and we stand by her side, dedicated to ensuring she regains her strength and returns to full health. Our hearts are with her as she takes the necessary steps toward recovery,” she added.
Mia le Roux made history in August by becoming the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa, following a contentious competition marked by controversy.
In her acceptance speech, Ms. Le Roux expressed her desire to inspire those who feel marginalised or excluded from society. She emphasised her commitment to supporting individuals who face financial barriers or have disabilities, aiming to uplift and amplify their voices.
At just one year old, Ms. Le Roux was diagnosed with profound hearing loss, and later received a cochlear implant to assist with sound perception.
Through determination and hard work, she overcame significant communication barriers, requiring two years of speech therapy to utter her first words.
The pageant was marred by the withdrawal of a finalist who faced online harassment and bullying over her Nigerian roots, highlighting deeper issues of inclusivity and acceptance.
Nigerian-born Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina announced her withdrawal from the competition earlier in August, citing safety and the well-being of herself and that of her family members.
Born in Soweto, South Africa to a Nigerian father and a mother who is of Mozambican descent, Chidimma’s participation in the competition and her rise to become a finalist in the competition was a subject of controversy as many South Africans objected to her participation in the competition, citing that she is not truly a South African.
Social media attacks targeted her Nigerian heritage despite her being born in South Africa and meeting all competition requirements.
Chidimma’s withdrawal from the competition came in a statement she personally signed and posted on her Instagram page amid the continued controversies surrounding her nationality ignited by the South African authorities, despite organisers’ certification of her qualification.
